US Embassy issues advisory on medical care for tourists, long-stay expats

[Thaidream]

7 minutes ago, JTXR said:

Exactly.  And most international policies won't cover folks over 65.  For expats in Thailand over 65, the annual costs of Thai-issued policies can be 10-15% of the annual cover (20% or more of the annual cover for those over 70, and approaching 50% of the annual cover for those over 80). 

If health insurance is required of older retirees, and all they can get is Thai-issued policies with very high premiums, low levels of cover, many exclusions for preexisting conditions and uncertain pay-out, such policies will be little more than a government-mandated hike in the cost of living.  For any major health event they'll still have to pay out of pocket just as if they didn't have insurance.

Agree completely- If   medical insurance becomes mandatory for all- there must be policies that cover pre-existing conditions; cover all ages; and are affordable to the public.  Anything less  constitutes price fixing and even in Thailand I believe is against the law.

[marcusarelus]

34 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

What I am saying is the insurance company kept raising rates while my wife was under care and coverage. They had to know there was a level which I could no longer afford.  

 

In addition- when I sent in documents/receipts for reimbursement- they normally paid within 7 days but they would hold the check for 2-3 weeks before they actually mailed it.  Then upon receipt of the check- I had to wait almost 30 days before it cleared  the Thai banking system. Of course, holding the check before mailing meant their money was still in their bank.

 

The reimbursement for medicines/drugs had to be separated from the other care and sent to a different address to be reviewed.  /then another separate check issued and deposited and a wait for clearance.

 

They made it as difficult as possible to claim and be reimbursed. I complained to the California Insurance Commissioner and they stopped holding the reimbursement checks- but then the premiums started their increase.

 

Honestly speaking- the whole process exhausted me- affected my mental state- and after my wife expired- returned to the US to work.  I finally overcame the depression' managed to be productive and save enough money to return to Thailand and marry again.

IMO there is something radically wrong with the whole system. Medical care is a human right.

Why live in a country where you didn't get your human rights?  I get medical care in Thailand.  If I didn't I'd leave. 

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

24 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

IMO there is something radically wrong with the whole system. Medical care is a human right.

 

Sorry for your ordeal with your wife's treatment and the insurance hurdles you had to navigate.

 

As for your comment above, I also BELIEVE medical care SHOULD be a basic human right. But AFAIK, it isn't. It certainly isn't in the U.S.

 

Americans get "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" in the Declaration of Independence. But not guaranteed medical care, except in the case of emergency treatment or Medicare coverage for the elderly age 65 and above.

 

[hottrader77]

On 5/20/2019 at 4:35 PM, sqwakvfr said:

The US State Department does not give “friendly” advisories to overseas Americans.  There is always a reason behind it.  To my fellow Americans this a Big Hint:  You will need to purchase health insurance if you are a long term visa holder in Thailand.  Also, when the Health Insurance law becomes comprehensive the Embassy can say “We told you so”,   As an American I have lived in 3 other countries and realized the mission of a US Embassy is not to assist it’s citizens.  Instead it is to promote American businesses.  

same in the uk embassey not to assist 

[chama]

On 5/20/2019 at 2:33 AM, watcharacters said:

This is a great opportunity for the government to squeeze out 30, 40, or 60+ thousand baht from thousands of expats.

True, but the real target may be the U.S. insurance companies they see as fat cash cows. If they get to those cash cows everyones, in the U.S. and abroad, will see increases in premiums.

[NanLaew]

7 hours ago, holy cow cm said:

Back that up with real numbers. And my glass is half full as I have adequate money to pay for everything here, and do have coverage in the US..

Good.

 

So why is it necessary to presuppose that whatever insurance the more careful long-term farang lodger, like yourself already has in place, it will be deemed unacceptable by Immigration when the time comes to file the next extension/get the next O-A? Nobody has any clue what criteria if any will be required so to 'guess' that whatever insurance one does have will probably be inadequate doesn't lend anything to the discussion beyond reinforcing a negative personal viewpoint.

[NanLaew]

1 hour ago, Thaidream said:

Agree completely- If   medical insurance becomes mandatory for all- there must be policies that cover pre-existing conditions; cover all ages; and are affordable to the public.  Anything less  constitutes price fixing and even in Thailand I believe is against the law.

But that would defeat this whole 'cull the herd' aspect of having insurance before being allowed to remain, no?

 

Pretty confident that the global insurance industry isn't going to have any sort of epiphany just to facilitate Thailand's latest immigration foibles or the dwindling population of underfunded and precariously unhealthy long-stay foreigners.

 

Somewhere along the line, one personally has to assume the risk and if immigration thinks that risk is a significant burden to the nation then we all know where the airports are.

[mlmcleod]

I find it ironic that health care is so important in Thailand while the US government is currently trying to gut the Affordable Care Act in the USA.

[fullcave]

9 hours ago, DividendGuy said:

After much thought I have finally decided enough is enough after 17 plus years. I am tired of jumping through the hoops that Thailand now seems to put most of us foreigners through. I have been to several other Asian countries in the last few months to check out the conditions to repatriate to and have made my decision. I wish you all success and happiness in your decisions.

Where are you going?

[AAArdvark]

10 hours ago, Miami007 said:

This sounds a little bit like the debate about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in the USA.  Why is anyone requiring us to purchase insurance was the argument in the USA

 

Most Europeans are probably shaking their heads about this debate because they realize that you better have health insurance or you may be out in the cold when a problem strikes.  Mostly everyone is covered and while we can argue about waiting times, quality of health care etc, the fact is that Europe has significantly fewer bankruptcies due to medical bills than the USA.

 

I am on a 30-day trip in Thailand at the moment and I bought a 1-month policy in the USA for about $120 to cover me.  If I can not afford the $120, I probably should stay home.

 

Sometimes, governments have to force people to do the right thing (e.g. seat-belts, no texting while driving, helmets on a motorbike) ???? 

It is not a one month policy for $120 for most people on ThaiVisa.  It can easily be $300 a month for a crap policy that does not cover pre-existing conditions.  For tourists, you are correct.

This is not a case of the government forcing people to do the right thing.  It is a case that they claim the are getting stuck with the unpaid bills from foreigners.

[Searat7]

The article was based on a US State Department informational flyer for all older travelers. Although it recommends having health insurance when traveling outside the US, it does not address the need for expats having mandatory insurance in Thailand. The title implies the US embassy is doing something, but in fact, they seem to be handing out a helpful flyer. 
 

It’s called a Heads Up.....they would not be doing this without good reason


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[marcusarelus]

1 hour ago, Searat7 said:

It’s called a Heads Up.....they would not be doing this without good reason


Sent from my iPad using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

So is it an USA embassy advisory or is that a false statement?

[metisdead]

A profane post has been removed:

 

8.) You will not post disruptive or inflammatory messages, vulgarities, obscenities or profanities.

[Guest]

sorry i had the incorrect information

[holy cow cm]

10 hours ago, NanLaew said:

Good.

 

So why is it necessary to presuppose that whatever insurance the more careful long-term farang lodger, like yourself already has in place, it will be deemed unacceptable by Immigration when the time comes to file the next extension/get the next O-A? Nobody has any clue what criteria if any will be required so to 'guess' that whatever insurance one does have will probably be inadequate doesn't lend anything to the discussion beyond reinforcing a negative personal viewpoint.

Perhaps because if immigration does read our posts, the ones you are calling negative, they might just have a positive effect for them to reinforce the need to think things over very carefully and find solutions for all before some certain hardships fall on some of the expats. Ofcourse the criteria is not released or does not seem to be yet fully set, but as just like in Dr. Seuss's "Horton Hears a Who", sometimes a group needs to keep shouting "We are Here" - "We are Here" - "We are Here" in order to be heard in Who-ville Thailand.

[fceligoj]

You can search the US Embassy website and find NOTHING about any advisory.  BUT if you go to the US State Dept STEP website and go under Thailand and then Health, there is a general topic on making sure you have adequate medical insurance coverage  if traveling to Thailand.  Most people would then get travel insurance that covers you on your trip.  there is NOTHING that state anything about Long Stay travelers.  Then when would the US Embassy put anything out with a 'picture' of their emblem??

 

You cannot call it fake news in a sense but they insinuate an expanded requirement from the title of the article.

 

Sad that they have cut and paste something that is nonsensical just to make news.  Wonder where the reporter got his(her) unsubstantiated facts.

[Sheryl]

Exactly.  And most international policies won't cover folks over 65.  For expats in Thailand over 65, the annual costs of Thai-issued policies can be 10-15% of the annual cover (20% or more of the annual cover for those over 70, and approaching 50% of the annual cover for those over 80). 

If health insurance is required of older retirees, and all they can get is Thai-issued policies with very high premiums, low levels of cover, many exclusions for preexisting conditions and uncertain pay-out, such policies will be little more than a government-mandated hike in the cost of living.  For any major health event they'll still have to pay out of pocket just as if they didn't have insurance.

Most international policies WILL cover people over 65. Some accept new enrollment even in the 90's.

It is the Thai policies that tend to have low cut off rates for new enrollment.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[mikebell]

On 5/20/2019 at 4:42 PM, Pattaya46 said:

just concerning the few retirees who don't have any insurance and could have one.

I would love to be able to afford Health Insurance.  I am 76 & the only quote I've got from five inquiries is 10,500 per MONTH!

[Sheryl]

I would love to be able to afford Health Insurance.  I am 76 & the only quote I've got from five inquiries is 10,500 per MONTH!

That is indeed what it costs at that age. You can reduce premium somewhat by taking a deductible (but be sure to have the deductible amount set aside)

If you have the required minimum income of 65k/month it should be possible to afford 10k a month for health insurance. There is a reason why the income level is set that high.

Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[JimGant]

On 5/20/2019 at 8:47 PM, malibukid said:

what did you expect from the world richest country.  look who's in charge.  as an American i could expect nothing less.  it was once a great nation. sucks now.  we have to take care of the immigrants first these days.

And this was in response to the Embassy's "Heads UP"?

 

Quote

Sadly, we at the Embassy in Bangkok have seen many instances where US citizens discover, too late, that essential, high-quality health care is out of financial reach and their options are limited. As you contemplate your own preparedness, we urge you to plan for a few key expenses: medical treatment, nursing care, and, if necessary, medical evacuation.

Thank you for the warning. Most Yanks are well aware that Uncle Sam, and Medicare and Medicaid, don't extend to the expat community. Even the socialist countries with "medical coverage for all" don't have such coverage reaching offshore.

 

So, malibukid, what's your point? You didn't have enough wherewithal in your career to amass  a health plan -- so Uncle Sam need be your nanny? Please pretend you're a Canadian when out in the public....

[The Man Who Sold the World]

6 hours ago, fceligoj said:

You cannot call it fake news in a sense but they insinuate an expanded requirement from the title of the article.

 

Sad that they have cut and paste something that is nonsensical just to make news.  Wonder where the reporter got his(her) unsubstantiated facts.

 

Yup, it's the Editors day off.

 

Of course though, I read it on the internet so it has to be true.

 

 

 

[sambum]

"Thailand also offers access to excellent health care, provided at world-class private hospitals by internationally trained doctors. But you need to be able to afford it."

 

As is obvious from another post on TV where at one of these "world class private hospitals" someone was charged 30,000 baht for diarrhoea! And that is by no means an isolated incident - these hospital scams are a regular occurrence and seem to target the walking (or stretcher borne) ATMS that are called "farangs" in this country.

[zydeco]

8 minutes ago, sambum said:

"Thailand also offers access to excellent health care, provided at world-class private hospitals by internationally trained doctors. But you need to be able to afford it."

 

As is obvious from another post on TV where at one of these "world class private hospitals" someone was charged 30,000 baht for diarrhoea! And that is by no means an isolated incident - these hospital scams are a regular occurrence and seem to target the walking (or stretcher borne) ATMS that are called "farangs" in this country.

You really think the American Embassy wrote and issued something like that? It sounds like an advertisement, not an "advisory."

[Thaidream]

1 hour ago, JimGant said:

Thank you for the warning. Most Yanks are well aware that Uncle Sam, and Medicare and Medicaid, don't extend to the expat community. Even the socialist countries with "medical coverage for all" don't have such coverage reaching offshore.

 

So, malibukid, what's your point? You didn't have enough wherewithal in your career to amass  a health plan -- so Uncle Sam need be your nanny? Please pretend you're a Canadian when out in the public....

The point is that I and others like me have paid into the Social Security Fund and the Medicare Fund for 50 years.  When one is paying- one would hope that a medical fund would and should pay Worldwide.  America has the highest cost medical care in the World, so allowing  American retired to use this fund, which they paid into, Worldwide would actually reduce the costs incurred,

 

The reason they will not do it is simple- they want to subsidize the medical and pharmaceutical industries by forcing all medical care to be sourced in the US.

 

However, I might adjust my thinking if the Us Medicare Fund would at least reimburse me for the amount I contributed from my salary for those 50 years.  They won't even do that.

 

However, there is hope for future retirees- Medicare For All - a universal healthcare system is being touted by the Democratic candidates for President to be phased in over 5 years.  It will eliminate Insurance Companies- force Big Pharma to lower their prices and cover all Americans hopefully everywhere they live.  Healthcare is a human right!!!

[zydeco]

52 minutes ago, Thaidream said:

America has the highest cost medical care in the World, so allowing  American retired to use this fund, which they paid into, Worldwide would actually reduce the costs incurred,

But they can reduce costs further simply by giving us nothing, which is what they happily do. And because we live outside the US, effectively, we have no representation in government. There is no "expat congressman" to solve social security and medicare problems for us. And those sort of constituent services are what representatives specialize in to remain challenge proof for re-election. I know this, if I ever do get dangerously ill and can still travel, I'm going to dump my carcass in Honolulu and enjoy what I can, whether I can pay for it or not. 

[Thaidream]

49 minutes ago, zydeco said:

But they can reduce costs further simply by giving us nothing, which is what they happily do. And because we live outside the US, effectively, we have no representation in government. There is no "expat congressman" to solve social security and medicare problems for us. And those sort of constituent services are what representatives specialize in to remain challenge proof for re-election. I know this, if I ever do get dangerously ill and can still travel, I'm going to dump my carcass in Honolulu and enjoy what I can, whether I can pay for it or not. 

Agreed- However there are various Organizations such as Democrats Abroad, Republicans Abroad and the American Chambers of Commerce who can be lobbied on issues.

 

Several of the Democratic presidential candidates have -Medicare For All- in their program but I do not know if their plan would extend overseas but I plan on finding out and if necessary will write a letter advocating relief on this issue. IMO, we have to be our representatives since overseas Americans have little influence.  However, the IRS seems quite interested in us when our taxes go in arrears!

[PaceArrow]

Just found out for those of you Expats over 65 yrs of age who may be looking into Health Insurance at reasonable prices, since the Issue was recently brought up by Thai Immigration and still a lot of reader interest. Read the following extracted portion of interest I received from an email response to Pacific Cross Insurance today: 
My apologies we can actually offer coverage to new applicants up to 75 yrs of age. The quote engine currently only quotes up to 65 yrs of age, we are having that corrected. We renew through to 99 yrs of age under policy terms.
For applicants that are above 65 years of age we require a medical examination to support the application form.

Jamie Connell, Director of Client Relationship 
Office: 02-401-9189 I Fax: 02-401-9187 I Mobile 0924 063962
Pacific Cross Health Insurance PCL

[PaceArrow]

Another possible solution for any of you needing some financial medical assistance see the following website for your consideration:         

https://www.medifee.com/medical-cf.php 

[NanLaew]

3 hours ago, PaceArrow said:

Just found out for those of you Expats over 65 yrs of age who may be looking into Health Insurance at reasonable prices, since the Issue was recently brought up by Thai Immigration and still a lot of reader interest. Read the following extracted portion of interest I received from an email response to Pacific Cross Insurance today: 
My apologies we can actually offer coverage to new applicants up to 75 yrs of age. The quote engine currently only quotes up to 65 yrs of age, we are having that corrected. We renew through to 99 yrs of age under policy terms.
For applicants that are above 65 years of age we require a medical examination to support the application form.

Jamie Connell, Director of Client Relationship 
Office: 02-401-9189 I Fax: 02-401-9187 I Mobile 0924 063962
Pacific Cross Health Insurance PCL

Yes, the options do exist out there and they don't need a lot of effort to find. If one thinks doing a medical is too difficult, or one does have coverage-limiting pre-conditions, or just one just plain can't afford it, then carry on winging it I guess. Just don't keep complaining about it not being fair. That's (end of) life.

 

3 hours ago, PaceArrow said:

Another possible solution for any of you needing some financial medical assistance see the following website for your consideration:         

https://www.medifee.com/medical-cf.php 

That will get a few all riled up; especially the ones that like to bang on about the unfortunate tourists who fall off motorbikes or are somehow a victim of their own lack of guile and end up crowdfunding their way back home. 

 

Good find though.

[NickJ]

My Mom loved being in Thailand.  I moved her hear I  05. She had some awesome Golden Years. 

Fully insured. Stroke. 3.5 million dollars later. She died.

Nightmare with the hospital. Anyone thinking how great and cheap healthcare is in this magical Kingdom ......wake up and smell the putrid roses. Your fooling yourselves.